How to Make Verenika - A Step-by-Step Guide

Verenika, also known as Vereniki, is a traditional Mennonite dish that originated in Eastern Europe. This simple and comforting dish consists of dumplings filled with a savory cheese mixture and served with a generous dollop of creamy white sauce. Verenika is a popular dish among Mennonite communities and is often served at family gatherings, church potlucks, and special occasions.

The history of Verenika dates back to the Mennonites, a group of Anabaptist Christians who migrated from...

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Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups dry cottage cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup nonfat dry milk powder
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup water
  • 4 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup cubed ham
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 ½ cups warm milk

Information

  • Prep Time: 1 hr
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Additional Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
  • Servings: 30
  • Yield: 30 dumplings

  • Combine cottage cheese, 2 eggs, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth; set filling aside.
  • Stir together flour, milk powder, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Beat together 2 eggs, water, and oil in a small bowl; combine with flour mixture until smooth.
  • Knead dough on a floured surface until smooth, about 10 times. Divide dough in half and roll out each portion to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out rounds of dough with a 4-inch round cutter.
  • Place 1 tablespoon cottage cheese filling in the center of each dough round. Moisten the edges and fold over to form a half-moon shape; pinch to seal.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1/2 of the dumplings and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon to a plate. Cook remaining dumplings.
  • Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in ham; cook until ham is light brown. Stir in 3 tablespoons flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Pour in milk all at once; cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Serve gravy over dumplings.
  • Nutrition

    127 cal.

    • Total Fat: 4g
    • Saturated Fat: 2g
    • Cholesterol: 35mg
    • Sodium: 254mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 15g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 2g
    • Protein: 7g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 64mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 110mg